Round 2Marc made a history. Greatest weekend for Repsol Honda Team

Marquez broke another record at COTA, taking his maiden victory in MotoGP, pole position and fastest lap of the race, becoming the youngest ever winner of a Top Class race. Did you expect this performance considering he could be a little under pressure after being the fastest rider also during the private test held at Austin?

Marc did a perfect weekend in Austin, and confirmed to be able to manage the pressure as well as he did last year, when he was the favorite for the Moto2 title and he won it.

Dani was leading the race for many laps and finished second. How important is this 1-2 for the Repsol Honda Team?

Very important! This circuit was, in the first section especially, very demanding for Dani’s characteristics, and he did a great job. Without the small mistake at the end of the race, he would have battled with Marc until the last corner! We are also proud to have got the 6th win in a row in the USA, as since Indy 2010 a Honda rider has won all the MotoGP races held in this country!

Do you think that the tyre choice (hard rear compound for Marc and soft rear for Dani) played a part in the race result?

Dani and Marc have different riding styles, and the choice was the right one for both of them, so I think both crews made the right choice.

Marc’s strategy on the race tyre was a winning choice, but he was also brave in qualifying being the last one to go out of the pits and not stopping to change tyres during the Q2. Is it a signal of his great confidence at this early stage of the season?

Marc is a great talent and most of his team has a long experience in MotoGP, they are working very well together!

Perhaps more important than his results is that Marc is not making any mistakes as it was the case in his first season in Moto2?

So far he is doing really really well, showing that despite his young age, he is already mature. Anyway he is a rookie in MotoGP and he has still many things to learn for the future.

Many people compare Casey and Marc’s riding style. Can the team use Casey’s data from last year to help Marc to set the bike up when he arrives in a new circuit with the MotoGP bike?

Each rider has his own style and characteristic. Marc is riding very aggressively and sometimes looks very similar to Casey, but he has his own style. For sure the data from the previous season is important, regardless of the rider’s style, to start the weekend with a good base set up.

The last 30 MotoGP races before Austin were won by Stoner, Lorenzo and Pedrosa. Marc’s victory is good for the team but also for the championship…

In the last season Dani, Casey and Jorge have been dominating the races and we are happy to see that, with Casey not racing anymore, we have found another rider able to win! For sure is good not only for Honda but for the fans as well!

Do you agree when people says that COTA clearly favoured the Hondas?

Usually the RC213V is good in the “stop and go” circuit, and COTA has this characteristic.

What are the expectations for next race in Jerez?

We have been testing in Jerez this winter, but the weather was not the best and it was difficult to get much done. For sure it is a circuit where Dani, Jorge and also Vale will be very strong. In theory it will be a more difficult weekend for Marc, but this is normal for a rookie!